Release Detail

August 9, 2000 - Clinton Squeaks Ahead Of Lazio In New York Senate Race,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
No Apparent Impact From Alleged Anti-Semitic Remark

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton has inched ahead of U.S. Rep. Rick Lazio, 46 - 43
percent in their neck-and-neck race for the U.S. Senate, according to a Quinnipiac University
poll released today.

In a July 12 poll by the independent Quinnipiac University, Mrs. Clinton and Rep. Lazio
were locked in a 45 - 45 percent tie. Jewish voters back Mrs. Clinton 52 - 36 percent,
compared to her 54 - 34 percent Jewish support in the July 12 poll.

From August 1 - 7, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,203 New York State registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent.

By a 49 - 19 percent margin -- with 61 - 24 percent among Jews -- voters say Clinton
would be a strong supporter of Israel if she is elected; 32 percent are undecided.

Voters say 39 - 14 percent, 50 - 12 percent among Jews, that Lazio would be a strong
supporter of Israel; 47 percent of voters are undecided on where Lazio stands on Israel.

"For years, support of Israel has been a must in New York elections and Mrs. Clinton
outscores Rep. Lazio slightly on this issue. Almost half the voters just don't know where he
stands on Israel," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Four out of five voters have heard the allegation that Mrs. Clinton made an anti-Semitic remark in 1974; 40 percent believe she said it and 38 percent don't believe she said it -- and 88 percent of those who believe it say it will have no impact on how they vote."

On abortion, 48 percent of voters say it is very important that a candidate share their
view on the subject, while 33 percent say it is somewhat important.

Forty-five percent of New York voters say abortion should be "generally available to
those who want it," while 39 percent want stricter limits on abortion and 13 percent say
"abortion should not be permitted."

If Clinton is elected, 56 percent of voters believe she would be a "strong" supporter of
abortion rights, while 14 percent say she would support abortion rights to some degree; 9
percent say she would not support abortion and 22 percent are undecided.

If Lazio is elected, 8 percent of voters believe he would be a "strong" supporter of
abortion rights, while 13 percent say he would support abortion rights to some degree; 37
percent say he would not support abortion rights and 41 percent are undecided.

"Our numbers show that a candidate's position on abortion is very important. New York
is pro-choice and New Yorkers see Clinton as solidly for abortion rights. Lazio says he's pro-choice, but New Yorkers doubt that he'd be a strong supporter of abortion rights," Carroll said.

By a 32 - 17 percent margin, voters have a favorable opinion of Lazio, with 16 percent
mixed and 33 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion. In the July 12
Quinnipiac University poll, Lazio's favorability was 31 - 13 percent.

Clinton's favorability is 37 - 37 percent, with 22 percent mixed and 3 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion. This compares with her negative 34 - 40 percent
favorability in the June 7 poll.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, conducts public opinion
surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or (203) 582-5201.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Pataki is handling his job
as Governor of New York?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Approve 61% 65% 50% 67% 84% 47% 60% 66% 57% 63% 70% 53%

Disapprove 24 22 32 18 10 37 23 23 25 22 19 29

DK/NA 15 14 18 14 6 16 17 12 18 15 11 18

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job
as President?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Approve 60% 51% 74% 55% 25% 86% 58% 53% 64% 51% 58% 74%

Disapprove 36 45 21 39 70 10 37 41 32 46 38 20

DK/NA 5 4 5 6 5 4 5 6 4 4 4 6

4. How much attention have you been paying to the election campaign for United
States Senator from New York -- a lot, some, only a little, or none at all?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

A lot 41% 38% 41% 47% 46% 40% 41% 46% 38% 43% 40% 50%

Some 35 37 35 33 33 37 37 33 37 31 36 34

Only a little 17 18 18 13 16 18 16 14 19 20 17 12

None at all 6 7 6 6 5 5 6 7 6 6 6 3

DK/NA - - - 1 - - - - 1 - - 1

5. Is your opinion of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton favorable, unfavorable,
mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Favorable 37% 31% 51% 29% 9% 61% 34% 33% 40% 34% 34% 36%

Unfavorable 37 43 21 45 73 12 35 44 31 44 40 27

Mixed 22 21 24 21 14 23 26 19 24 18 21 34

Hvn't hrd enough 3 4 2 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 4 3

REFUSED 1 1 2 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 - 1

6. Is your opinion of New York Congressman Rick Lazio favorable, unfavorable,
mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Favorable 32% 34% 20% 43% 63% 10% 32% 38% 28% 37% 38% 20%

Unfavorable 17 13 27 13 2 30 15 16 18 15 12 24

Mixed 16 17 15 16 10 19 18 14 18 15 15 28

Hvn't hrd enough 33 34 36 27 24 40 34 31 35 31 34 28

REFUSED 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1

7. If the election for United States Senator were being held today and the
candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democrat and Rick Lazio the
Republican for whom would you vote?

13. How important is it to you that the Senate candidate you vote for is a
strong supporter of Israel - very important, somewhat important, or not
important at all?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Very important 23% 18% 27% 25% 21% 28% 17% 22% 23% 21% 14% 72%

Smwht important 37 38 35 37 36 35 41 37 37 41 39 23

Not important
at all 37 40 34 36 41 31 39 39 35 35 43 3

DK/NA 4 4 5 2 2 5 3 2 5 3 4 3

14. If Hillary Rodham Clinton is elected to the United States Senate, do you
think that she will be a strong supporter of Israel or not?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Yes/Str
supporter 49% 37% 58% 57% 37% 61% 48% 50% 48% 47% 46% 61%

No/Not str
supporter 19 19 16 21 30 10 21 24 15 20 21 24

DK/NA 32 44 26 22 33 29 31 26 37 33 33 15

15. If Rick Lazio is elected to the United States Senate, do you think that
he will be a strong supporter of Israel or not?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Yes/Str
supporter 39% 29% 42% 50% 47% 34% 40% 48% 32% 38% 40% 50%

No/Not str
supporter 14 16 16 11 10 17 17 15 14 13 16 12

DK/NA 47 55 42 39 43 49 43 36 54 49 44 38

16. Have you heard or read anything about the allegation that Hillary Rodham
Clinton made an anti-semitic remark in an argument with a campaign aide in
1974 or haven't you heard or read anything about that?

Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Yes/Heard 78% 69% 80% 89% 76% 81% 78% 82% 75% 74% 78% 97%

No/Haven't
heard 21 30 20 10 23 19 22 17 24 25 21 3

DK/NA 1 1 - - 1 - - 1 1 1 - -

17. (If 'Yes' on Q16) Do you believe the allegation that Hillary Rodham Clinton
made an anti-semitic remark in an argument with a campaign aide in 1974 or not?

Of those who said "Yes" on Q16
Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew

Yes/Believe it 40% 41% 34% 46% 66% 22% 41% 45% 36% 42% 44% 41%

No/Do not
believe it 38 34 48 32 17 55 35 36 39 33 39 37

DK/NA 22 25 18 22 17 23 24 19 24 25 16 22

17. (If 'Yes' on Q17) Has it made you less likely to vote for Hillary Rodham
Clinton or hasn't it affected the way you will vote?

Of those who said "Yes" on Q17
Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Prot Cath Jew